I Arts & Entertainment
Fast Forward from page 57
Greektown for Sunday brunches and
Andiamo Osteria in Rochester on some
Thursdays. The group is booked for
Baker's Keyboard Lounge in Detroit on
Friday, Jan. 27.
"I like jazz because it allows perform
ers to reinvent themselves each time
they go on stage," says Palter, who also
has appeared at the Max M. Fisher
Music Center, the Bluebird in Nashville
and various halls for private parties.
"Jazz is the most challenging style
because it's constantly evolving. I can
explore many possibilities."
Exploring possibilities also reaches
into the business end of her work,
which has taken some new turns this
year.
Palter recently dropped out of the
University of Michigan, where she was a
sophomore studying vocal perform-
ance, so that homework wouldn't pre-
vent her from accepting job offers. Early
in December, with the goal of expand-
ing those offers, she signed a manage-
ment contract with Howard Hertz, a
local entertainment attorney who also
represents Eminem.
Soon, she will move to New York or
Los Angeles to pursue larger markets
through the networking that has
enhanced her bookings. Before then,
she will complete a demo recording to
take with her.
Starting Early
"My mother says I was singing before I
was talking," says Palter, who even can
have a good time when she's rehearsing.
"I think music is in my soul. I can't
remember anything being more impor-
tant except for my family."
Palter, whose sister Kimberly studied
musical theater at Northwestern
University and is appearing in a
Chicago production, can trace her vocal
talents back to grandmother Dorothea
Ranier, a child opera singer. Jesse, as
She will move to
New York or Los
Angeles to pursue
larger markets
through the net-
working that has
enhanced her
bookings.
she's sometimes called, began her stage
work in community theater when she
was 5 years old and was cast in musi-
cals through Nancy Gurwin
Productions.
A young piano student who also took
dance lessons, Palter went on to Abbott
Middle School in West Bloomfield'to
enroll in the specialized arts programs
and graduated from West Bloomfield
West Side Carpet...
at East Side Prices
20750 Hoover Road (3 miles south of 1-696)
Open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
and by appointment.
Call Mickey at 586-756-2400.
1052130
Flooring
Warehouse
We set the floor on prices.
Joe Menem Computer Services
•
Your Independent Technology Partner
• Network design & installation
• Server setup & administration
•Software design & programming
•Hardware troubleshooting & repair
High School. Along the way, she became
part of the choir and then a junior can-
tor at Temple Israel, where she had her
bat mitzvah.
"I took trumpet, oboe and banjo at
Abbott," says Palter, who had a vocal
coach and formal classical training as a
teenager. "When I was narrator in a
school production of Joseph and the
Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, I just
started embellishing on the melody. The
teacher told me I could not do that for
the play but suggested that I try getting
involved in jazz."
Young Composer
With Etta James as an early and contin-
uing role model, Palter often sings "At
Last" in her shows. Another favorite
standard that has become popular with
her audiences is "Misty."
"A boyfriend who became seriously ill
was the inspiration for my own song
`One Last Makeover,"' explains Palter,
who began composing when she was 12.
"His situation gave me perspective, and
the song is about getting priorities in
order and not being petty.
"Another boyfriend was the inspira-
tion for my song 'Change of Heart:
which is about breaking up. I wrote
`Lovesick" as a fun song about the joys
of being in love."
As Palter gets more work around
Michigan and outside the state, she con-
siders fellow performers as important
teachers. While working at Detroit's
Bert's on Broadway over the summer,
she shared the stage with Martha
Reeves, Don Mayberry, Paul Keller and
Marcus Belgrave.
Through networking connections, she
has written songs with Jeff and Mark
Bass, who have worked with Eminem
and 50 Cent, and Andrew Gold, band-
leader for Linda Ronstadt.
With 2006 quickly approaching,
Palter could be singing "What Are You
Doing New Year's Eve?" as a musical ad.
She's still looking for a booking and can
be reached at her Web site,
www.myspace.com/jessepalter, where
her upcoming engagements are listed.
"I feel honored to be doing all this at
such a young age," Palter says. "When
I'm not working, I love to watch other
live musical acts. I also have fun hang-
ing out with my friends." O
Jessica Palter can be heard
Tuesdays at Silky's Martini & Music
Cafe, 21931 Michigan Ave.,
Dearborn — (313) 565-4260;
Sunday mornings at Mosaic, 501
Monroe, Detroit — (313) 962-9366;
and occasional Thursdays at
Andiamo Osteria, 401 N. Main,
Rochester — (248) 601-9300. She
will perform Friday evening, Jan.
27, at Baker's Keyboard Lounge,
20510 Livernois, Detroit —
(313) 345-6300.
PRIX/AV pANQUET FACILITIES FOR ALL OCCASIONS`
or RIBS FOR TWO
OR
L:OFF'
BIM CHICKEN FOR TWO
AIL DINNERS INCLUDE: SALAD OR COLESLAW.
POTATOES AND GARUC BREAD
Exp. 12/3!/05 ,111
•
Toss Pointe
OC/LP
9/ 9 266t 6
AH
'
'INN_ 24234 Orchard Lake Rd., N.E. corner of 10 Mile • 476 1377
C f 7 L
Need a different approach for your
child to master math & science?
Contact Golani
the team leader of Engineers and Scientists at
Over 24 years of experience making computers do the right thing.
V.U. Group 248-767-9967
Small !Business ...Call 248 755 1257... 1-lorne Office
.
1050740
bgolani(&vugmp.com
-
60
December 15 2005
-
-
for appointment and assessment
105.3340